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Highlights from the Republicans of Clark County Ronald Reagan Birthday Celebration held at the Heathman Lodge in Vancouver, Washington, February 6, 2016.

In all, the event was well attended with some very good candidates speaking their positions. Meeting Bill Bryant, candidate for Governor of Washington State shows conservatives have the best chance of winning the Governor’s office for the first time in decades.

Several people turned out this morning to enjoy a breakfast for the benefit of David Castillo, the very first candidate to enter the race for 3rd Congressional District against now retiring Brian Baird. In all, I label the event a success as the room filled to near capacity by voters turning out to meet David and hear Rob McKenna speak.

Candice Jackson, a local attorney, got the event rolling by asking me to lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance, a privilege in my estimation. Although I had not expected to do so, I was asked to also say a few words in favor of David.

Public speaking is not my strong suit, but expressing why I support David Castillo is easy as he is an impressive man and as I said to the audience, I am a very difficult person to impress.

Candice followed me with her own words in support of David. She is a very impressive young lady, articulate and apparently, like me and many others, very impressed with the qualities, experience and character David brings with him to this campaign.

Several candidates and office holders were also in attendance, Commissioner Tom Mielke, Paul Harris, Brian Peck, Craig Riley, Ann Rivers, David Horowitz to mention a few and of course, Washington House Minority Leader, Richard DeBoldt also a scheduled speaker and endorser of David’s. My apologies for any I failed to recall.

Minority Leader DeBoldt rose next outlining the several years he has been acquainted with David and his family. To me, that DeBoldt endorsed Castillo over his main Republican opponent, Jaime Herrera, speaks tons as he has worked with both candidates for some time and chose who he feels would best represent our district.

David took his turn to speak at the podium. Casting aside the speech he has made several times to voters, he now spoke from his heart of his childhood and how his Mother instilled in him from a young age that although public assistance is necessary from time to time, it is not a way of life. Like many of us, he learned that in order for him and his sisters to receive the temporary assistance his Mom relied upon for a time, someone else had to work to provide it. “My mother told me, ‘this isn’t yours, it is a gift from someone who worked for it’,” David quoted his Mom as saying.

He spoke of his time in the U.S. Navy and being able to travel and see the world and how even our poorest people still live a better lifestyle than many in other countries, such as Kenya.

I was most impressed when he began speaking of his lovely wife, Callie and how she is the strength when he needs it. She was there during the time his dot.com business failed in the dot com melt-down and worked with him to rebuild their lives while studying to become the accomplished lawyer she is today.

When he speaks of his son you can see the love and awe he holds for the young life he and Callie created and the responsibility they share to care for him. As a Dad and Grandpa myself, seeing a man place his children so high in his life in very endearing to me.

Earlier I spoke of the character of David Castillo and that was shown to the audience as he related a recent experience from a small group of supporters of one of his opponents. They accosted David and his family, trying to instigate an outburst while video-taping their misconduct, presumably to edit the tape and place it on You Tube in another effort to denigrate and misrepresent the man.

Their efforts failed.

Rob McKenna was unavoidably delayed in arriving and David continued with more off the cuff speaking until he arrived. Once McKenna made it there, He was introduced and gave a short keynote speech in honor of David, who McKenna endorsed early in the campaign.

There has been allegations raised that we Castillo supporters have been seen outside of events held for David’s opponent, Jaime Herrera and holding signs in support of David. I have no idea whether or not it is true as I have not seen it and no one has posted photos yet.

What I did see was a Jaime Herrera campaign staff member present text messaging to someone throughout much of the event this morning. I can only guess who to.

Chris Boyd, former opponent of David’s and now supporter closed the event by thanking all for being present and encouraging them to support David in any way they can.

In all, a very productive breakfast attended well by some very good people.

I cannot say enough about the Heathman Lodge staff who were efficient, courteous and attentive to all present. Their efforts helped make the event as great as it was.

If you still haven’t decided who you support or haven’t taken a close look at David Castillo just yet, I invite you to visit www.CastilloForCongress.com and help send the best conservative candidate we have seen run for the 3rd Congressional District seat in many years to Washington D.C. on our behalf.